NBA
NBA 2024 MVP race: Who are the favorites? Tatum, Giannis, Jokic, Doncic, Shai
As the regular season comes to a close, the league’s Most Valuable Player race is still up in the air with no clear front-runner emerging.
NBA fans are preparing for the annual debate about the league’s most valuable player. This year’s discussion is expected to be more contentious than usual. Joel Embiid is currently out of the race due to a meniscus injury, and a new rule has been implemented that dictates eligibility for season awards.
This rule requires players to have appeared in at least 65 games during the regular season to be eligible for awards. As a result, the candidacies of several top contenders are in doubt. Embiid’s prolonged absence due to injury has removed him from consideration, leaving the field open for other players to compete for the prestigious title.
Jokic vs Shai
According to a straw poll conducted by ESPN, Nikola Jokic is currently leading the MVP race with 889 total votes and 69 first-place votes. However, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA) is not far behind and has garnered significant support with 24 first-place votes. This straw poll is conducted by media members, including MVP voters, and provides valuable insight into the current MVP landscape.
Both players have impressive statistical resumes. SGA averages 31.5 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per game while shooting efficiently from the field, three-point range, and the free-throw line. Meanwhile, Jokic continues to dominate with averages of 26 points, 12 rebounds, and 9 assists per game, showcasing his versatility and impact on the court.
The emergence of SGA as a legitimate contender has added excitement to the discussion despite Jokic’s commanding lead in the poll. Adding to the conspiracy is the surprising success of SGA’s Oklahoma City Thunder, which holds the second seed in the Western Conference. The proximity between the two teams, with the Denver Nuggets and Jokic’s team sitting just behind them in the standings, adds fuel to the MVP debate.
Tatum is close but yet too far
Star forward Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics was considered a top candidate for the NBA’s 2024 Most Valuable Player (MVP) award before the 2023-24 season started. However, the team’s recent roster changes, which added two more All-Star caliber players, may have been overlooked in this prediction. Although Tatum is the best player on the league’s strongest team, he may not be among the top five prospects for the MVP award due to these changes. This places him in an unusual position.
Giannis, for the third
Giannis Antetokounmpo has another MVP-caliber season, but he’s not receiving as much attention as other candidates. After winning two MVP awards, his impressive stats this season should not be overlooked. He’s averaging 30.8 points on 61% shooting, 11.3 rebounds, and a career-high 6.4 assists per game, which have helped the Bucks stay near the top of the Eastern Conference standings.
Luka Doncic is creeping in
Amidst the analysis of statistics and standings, there is a question of whether voter fatigue will affect the decision-making process for the MVP title. Will Jokic, a two-time MVP winner, face any backlash for seeking his third title? On the other hand, can SGA’s meteoric rise and the Thunder’s unexpected success influence the voters to support him?
Some people are advocating for a dark horse candidate in the form of Dallas Mavericks’ star, Luka Doncic, despite his team’s lower seeding. Doncic’s individual brilliance and recent historic performances make a compelling case for his MVP candidacy.